Salam Alaykum{Arabic}....Shalom Alekum{Hebrew}......Peace Be With You{English}
In recent Times, We observe that followers of Major religions are divided among themselves....This is basically not based on the teachings of the religion but rather on
Humans' naturally divergent Orientation and some times, Selfish and Political motives
Currently, there are lotz of Sects in Islam...Most notable of which are Shia, Salafi ,Ahmadiyy and so on....As i mentioned before No Religion teaches Division among its Followers and Islam is no exception.....
ALLAH has commanded us in Chapter 3 vs 103 of the Qur'an
And hold firmly to the rope of ALLAH all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of ALLAH upon you - when you were enemies and HE brought your hearts together and you became, by HIS favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and HE saved you from it. Thus does ALLAH make clear to you HIS verses that you may be guided.****End of Quotation
ALLAH goes on in the 105th verse
Be not like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into disputations after receiving Clear Signs: For them is a dreadful penalty. ****End of Quotation
In the first Quotation, ALLAH gives the instruction that We should be united by holding on firmly to HIS Word{Rope used symbolically} and warns Us in the second quotation that we should not be Divided which would lead us to Fall into Disputations among Ourselves...these disputations which ALLAH has warned against is currently the major problem of our Deen.
But ALLAH (GOD) in HIS Absolute Wisdom, has ForeSeeN this...Therefore, HE reminds us in Chapter 4 vs. 59 that
O you who believe! Obey ALLAH, and obey the messenger and those of you who are in authority; and if you have a dispute concerning any matter, refer it to ALLAH and the messenger if you are (in truth) believers in ALLAH and the Last Day. That is best and most suitable for final determination(result). ****End of Quotation
We are told from above quotation of the Qur'an that We should follow All that ALLAH has commanded us and that which the Noble prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has brought to us, i.e. His sayings and Actions. ALLAH continues by saying that we can receive guidance from Those in Authority which means our Religious leaders, Imam {in Arabic}.
It is said in the same verse that We should return to the Ultimate Guidance of ALLAHand HIS messenger, Muhammad when We fall into disputes among ourselves in matters of the religion and also said that That is Best for Us...Usually when We do something, We always want the Best result and GOD is telling us in the verses that The Best way to receive Salvation is to follow the Word of ALLAH, The Qur'an and the teachings of the last prophet, Muhammad (PBUH)....
My humble plea to my brothers and sisters in Islam is to return to the Qur'an , learn Arabic and Study more about the Deen.....I remind myself before I remind U
N.B :
Islam --- Submission to the will of ALLAH
Deen --- Religion or Way of Life
ALLAH ---- GOD